A fundraiser has ended for a German tourist who was shot in the head while driving with his family west of Calgary.
In a post Tuesday on the gofundme page set up to raise money for the tourist, a spokesperson for the family thanked the public for its support and explained why the funds were needed immediately following the incident.
“I want to explain why funds were needed the same day of the shooting,” Hubertus Liebrecht wrote. “Only the victim had a credit card to cover the expenses of the vacation. His wife could not remember his PIN.”
The post goes on to explain the victim’s credit card was frozen for security reasons after his wife used the wrong PIN several times.
“Also, all items in the rental car were seized by the RCMP after the shooting,” Liebrecht said, adding many hotels had no vacancy.
“That is the moment when you need help from other people.”
The family was driving on Highway 1A near Morley Aug. 2 when a passing vehicle fired a shot, hitting the driver and causing him to veer off the road and crash.
The 60-year-old victim was airlifted to a hospital in Calgary where he underwent surgery. Police said it’s expected he will have lasting effects from the penetrating brain injury he sustained. He remained in critical condition as of Sunday.
The gofundme page raised $10,380. The goal was $8,500.
In closing the account Liebrecht said, “you all have showed that you were there in a spontaneous and heart touching way.”
“The real Canadians are extremely wonderful people. Big hug and thank you so very much! I will keep you posted”
Police continue to investigate the incident.
A man was arrested, questioned and released last week.
So far no charges have been laid in the case.
With files from Heide Pearson, Global News